Supporters of State Fair Community College filled a large workshop at the south end of the new Steve and Karen Ellebracht Agriculture and Mechanics Building to declare the building open Friday, Aug. 1 on the SFCC campus in Sedalia.

President Dr Brent Bates says the new building will provide students with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with the latest technology in the field, including in the ag mechanics lab where Friday’s ceremony took place.
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Bates says the 60,000 square-foot space includes 6000 that remains unfinished to allow even newer technologies to have a home. He credits discussions between the college’s faculty and business partners for helping craft the blueprint for the new building.

A $20 million campaign launched by the State Fair Community College Foundation helped to build and equip the building. That included a $2 million donation from Steve and Karen Ellebracht, for whom the new building is named.

SFCC also celebrated the opening of a new residence hall Friday, which will house 196 students. Members of the public had the opportunity to tour both buildings after the ribbon-cutting ceremony.